Helmet with Anti-Fog System for Skydiving and Snow Skiing

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose helmet includes a lens for protecting the face of a user during an activity such as skydiving or selected winter sports. An air-intake hole is formed on the helmet, and an airflow deflector plate is positioned against the air-intake hole. Thus, the deflector plate directs air over the inside surface of the lens to prevent fog from forming on this surface during the activity.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.13/281,759, filed Oct. 26, 2011, which is currently pending. Thecontents of application Ser. No. 13/281,759 are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to protective headgear. Moreparticularly, the present invention pertains to multi-purpose helmets.The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively useful as askydiving or winter sports helmet having an air-intake for directing airinto the helmet, and over the inside surface of the helmet's lens, toprevent the lens from fogging-up during an activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a sport, skydiving is at once exhilarating and potentially dangerous.Suffice it to say, the sport of skydiving requires a “jumper” (skydiver)to be keenly aware of his/her situation at all times during a skydive.This is particularly so when many jumpers are simultaneously involved ina same skydiving event. Specifically, in such circumstances there isalways the ever-present potential for a midair collision. For instance,a popular activity of experienced skydivers is to “join-up”, and holdhands during a skydive. As an aside, the present world record for suchan endeavor has involved in excess of four hundred jumpers. In thisparticular example, and in other such events, situational awareness foreach jumper is of the utmost importance. Moreover, situational awarenesscan be just as important when there are only a few jumpers, or even whenthere is but a single jumper.

It is not uncommon for skydivers to exit their aircraft at altitudes asgreat as 10,000 feet. For experienced jumpers with special equipment,altitudes around 20,000 ft. are quite common place. In the event, such ajump may last for only about 90 seconds. During this time, as theskydiver falls through the air, the outside air temperature may changeby as much as 50° F. A consequence here is that the lenses being used toprotect the eyes of a jumper during a skydiving event may becomefogged-up.

With the above in mind, there are two considerations that are ofparamount importance for the design of a skydiving helmet. First, it isnecessary that the helmet protect both the head, and the face, of askydiver against the possibility of a midair collision with anotherskydiver. Second, the helmet must be designed so that the lens isprevented from fogging up, in order for a jumper to acquire thesituational awareness that is necessary for a successful skydive.

Winter sports also carry significant risks to a participant. A helmetcan also be used to provide protection to a winter sports participant,such as a skier or snowboarder. Many of the same safety considerationsare present in winter sports as are present in skydiving. Onesignificant category of hazards for a winter sports participant is theobjects, both man-made and natural, that often border the trails onwhich a participant skis or snowboards. Furthermore, collisions withother participants are quite common, as are falls due to the slipperynature of ice and compacted snow. In any of these cases, protecting thehead and keeping the field of view of a participant unobstructed cangreatly minimize the risk of injury.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a participant with the ability to have continuous situationalawareness during any type of activity. Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a multi-purpose helmet that protects the headand face of a participant during an activity. Still another object ofthe present invention is to provide a multi-purpose helmet that is easyto use, is relatively simple to manufacture, and is comparatively costeffective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a multi-purpose helmet isprovided with a feature that prevents fog from forming on the insidesurface of the helmet lens that covers the face of a user. Specifically,while the helmet and its lens encapsulate the head of a user during anactivity, air is directed into the helmet through an air-intake hole.This air is then directed onto the inside surface of the lens to preventfogging. An exhaust vent is also provided for the helmet whicheffectively directs this airflow from the air-intake hole over theentire inside surface of the lens.

Structurally, the multi-purpose helmet of the present invention includesa helmet body that is formed with an opening and has an inner surfaceand an outer surface. A rim of the helmet body borders this opening andthe rim is dimensioned so that it surrounds the face of a user. Withinthis structure, the rim of the helmet has a forehead portion and a chinportion. Also, the chin portion of the helmet rim is formed with theair-intake hole.

A transparent lens, preferably made of a clear or tinted plastic, isprovided to cover the opening of the helmet body. In detail, a pair ofswivel mounts is positioned to hold the lens on the helmet body.Specifically, these swivel mounts are positioned on opposite sides ofthe helmet body, across the opening from each other, and they are eachlocated between the forehead portion and the chin portion of the helmetrim. Further, each swivel mount includes a release button thatselectively holds the lens in place over the opening. Whensimultaneously depressed, the release buttons allow the lens to belifted from the opening to allow for access through the opening into thehelmet body. As an additional feature, the lens itself is configuredwith a so-called called “quick release” mechanism for rapid removal andreplacement of the lens on the helmet.

The quick release mechanism can take various forms. In one embodiment,the helmet body is formed with a deformable button formed with an innerspring, an annular rib that extends around the circumference of thebutton, and an annular notch that extends around the circumference ofthe button. This button deforms as the inner edge of apertures formed inthe lens make initial contact with the lens. Once the lens passes overthe rib, the lens is seated into the annular notch, with the insidesurface of the lens contacting the helmet and the outside surface of thelens making contact with the rib. As this is occurring, the spring ofthe button urges the button back to its initial configuration. In analternate embodiment, two holes can be formed onto the side of thehelmet. These holes can be configured to receive a quick release pin. Ineither case, the quick release mechanism will not interfere with thestructural integrity of the helmet body or the lens.

It is an important aspect of the present invention that, when the lenscovers the opening on the helmet body, an exhaust vent is establishedbetween the forehead portion of the helmet body and the inside surfaceof the lens. To do this, a separation distance of approximately ⅛ inchis provided between the forehead portion of the helmet rim and theinside surface of the lens. Specifically, this separation distanceestablishes the exhaust vent. Importantly, the exhaust vent extendsacross the entire forehead portion of the helmet rim, and extendsthrough an arc of approximately 100°. This arc is centered on theair-intake hole in the chin portion of the helmet rim.

In addition to the helmet body and the lens, the present invention alsoincludes an airflow deflector plate that is positioned inside the helmetbody against the air-intake hole. Structurally, this airflow deflectorplate includes a base member that is formed with a scoop. Whenpositioned against the air-intake hole, the scoop of the airflowdeflector plate effectively divides the air-intake hole into an upperair-intake vent, and a lower air-intake vent. Functionally, while thelower air-intake vent provides breathing air for the user, it is theupper air-intake vent that provides the fog prevention feature of thepresent invention.

As indicated above, the airflow over the inside surface of the lens thatprevents a fog-up on the lens starts at the air-intake hole and goesthrough the upper air-intake vent of the airflow deflector plate. Fromthe airflow deflector plate, this air then fans out through an arc overthe inside surface of the lens until it exits from the helmet throughthe exhaust vent. To assist with this fanning out, the airflow deflectorplate includes a plurality of vanes that are mounted on the base memberof the plate. Structurally, these vanes extend between the base memberof the airflow deflector plate and the chin portion of the helmet body,to thereby establish a plurality of airways in the deflector plate.Further, the vanes are angled, relative to a common centerline that isdefined by the deflector plate. Thus, the angled vanes establish theairflow pattern over the inside surface of the lens, as described above.

An alternate method of reducing fog can also be included for use withthe present invention. This additional method of reducing fog is aheating unit that can be located on either the inner or outer surface ofthe helmet body. In order to heat the face shield, a plurality ofresistive conducting strips are connected to the heating unit and areaffixed onto the inside surface of the face shield in a manner that doesnot obstruct the view of the user. Alternatively, a plurality of veryfine heating wires can be run through the plastic of the face shieldduring manufacture.

A further structural component of the helmet is a camera mount attachedto the lens of the helmet. Structurally, the camera mount is constructedin two pieces, a mounting plate and a camera case. The mounting plate isaffixed to the lens of the helmet with a plurality of screws, and thecamera case is slidably engageable with the mounting plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself,both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood fromthe accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdescription, in which similar reference characters refer to similarparts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skydiving helmet in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the skydiving helmet as seen alongthe line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an air deflector plate as used for theskydiving helmet of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the helmet illustrating the cameramount and the location of the quick release mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the helmet with the lens in araised position and the preferred embodiment of the heating unit;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of thepreferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism for the lens priorto insertion into the locking shaft;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of thepreferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism after insertion intothe locking shaft;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of analternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism for the face shield;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of thealternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism after insertion intothe locking shaft;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of anadditional alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a stand-alone view of the camera mount for use with thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a skydiving helmet in accordance with thepresent invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, theskydiving helmet 10 includes a helmet body 12 which is formed with anopening 14, that is surrounded by a rim 16. Further, the helmet body 12includes a forehead portion 18 and a chin portion 20 that are oppositefrom each other, across the opening 14. The chin portion 20 of thehelmet body 12 is formed with an air-intake hole 22.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the helmet 10 is shown to include atransparent lens 24 that is covering the opening 14 of the helmet body12. Referring for the moment to FIG. 2, it is seen that the lens 24 hasan inside surface 26 and an outside surface 28. For purposes of thepresent invention, the transparent lens 24 may be either clear ortinted. Further, referring back to FIG. 1, it will also be seen that thelens 24 is mounted onto the helmet body 12 with a swivel mount 30. It isto be appreciated that another swivel mount 30 (not shown) is located onthe other side of the helmet body 12. This other swivel mount 30 willthus be opposite and across the opening 14 from the swivel mount 30 thatis shown in FIG. 1. As an added feature, the lens 24 can be positionedon the helmet body 12 using a so-called “quick connect” system. Further,as envisioned for the present invention, each of the above-mentionedswivel mounts 30 can be manipulated by a respective release button 32 toswivel the lens 24 on the helmet body 12. In particular, this swivelingoccurs between a closed position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an openposition (not shown). More specifically, in the open position, the lens24 is still supported by the swivel mounts 30, but it is lifted from theopening 14 to provide for access through the opening 14 and into thehelmet 10.

An important structural aspect for the skydiving helmet 10 of thepresent invention is an exhaust vent 34. In FIG. 2, this exhaust vent 34is shown to be created between the lens 24 and the forehead portion 18of the helmet body 12 when the lens 24 is in its closed position (shownin FIG. 2). More specifically, the exhaust vent 34 will extend throughan arc 36 that is centered on the air-intake hole 22. Importantly, thisarc 36 will effectively overlie the nose and eyes of the skydiver (notshown). To do this, the arc 36 will preferably be about 100°.

A deflector plate 38 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the deflector plate38 includes a base member 40 that is formed with a scoop 42, and thedeflector plate 38 defines a centerline 44. A pair of lateral vanes 46 aand 46 b extend from the base member 40 to straddle the centerline 44,as do a pair of side vanes 48 a and 48 h. The lateral vanes 46 a and 46b, as well as the side vanes 48 a and 48 b are all angled on thedeflector plate 38 relative to the centerline 44. Together, theselateral vanes 46 a and 46 b and side vanes 48 a and 48 b are oriented toestablish a plurality of airways. Specifically, a central airway 50 isestablished between the lateral vanes 46 a and 46 b. Additionally, apair of lateral airways 52 a and 52 b is established by the deflectorplate 38. In this case, the lateral airways 52 a and 52 b are each onopposite sides of the central airway 50. Structurally, lateral airway 52a is established between lateral vane 46 a and side vane 48 a. And,lateral airway 52 b is established between lateral vane 46 b and sidevane 48 b. Also, a side airway 54 a is established on the deflectorplate 38 by side vane 48 a. As shown, this side airway 54 a is locatedoutside the side vane 48 a and is separated from the lateral airway 52 aby the side vane 48 a. Similarly, a side airway 54 h is established bythe side vane 48 b.

Returning to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the deflector plate 38is positioned inside the helmet body 12 and against its chin portion 20.More specifically, as so positioned, the scoop 42 of the deflector plate38 effectively divides the air-intake hole 22 into an upper air-intakevent 56 and a lower air-intake vent 58. With this structure, breathingair is directed into the helmet 10 (see arrow 60) through the lowerair-intake vent 58, for use by the skydiver. On the other hand, anti-fogair entering the helmet 10 through the upper air-intake vent 56 (seearrows 62) is directed by the deflector plate 38 against the insidesurface 26 of the lens 24. As envisioned for the present invention, theanti-fog air (see arrows 62) is directed by the deflector plate 38across the arc 36, and against the inside surface 26 for exit from thehelmet 10 through the exhaust vent 34.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an overview of several components of thepresent invention can be shown and described. In particular, a cameramount 64 is shown affixed to the lens 24 of the helmet 10. For thepresent invention, the camera mount 64 is constructed with a mountingplate 66 and a camera case 68. In FIG. 4, the quick release mechanism 70is also visible near the release button 32 on the lens 24. It should beunderstood that a second quick release mechanism 70 is provided on theopposite side of the helmet 10.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a side perspective view of the helmet 10 isshown with the lens 24 in its open position. In this view, a heatingunit 72 is shown affixed to the helmet 10. Also, a heating wire 74 thatruns on the outer surface of the helmet 10 is shown. This heating wire74 interconnects the heating unit 72 to a conductive strip 76 that isformed onto the inside surface 26 of the lens 24. The pattern shown forthe conductive strip 76 is exemplary, as any type of pattern can beused. Furthermore, a plurality of conductive strips 76 can also be used,and a plurality of heating wires 74 can also be incorporated for usewith the present invention if required. In addition, in FIG. 5, theinteraction of the camera mount 64 with the lens 24 is depicted. Here,it can be seen that the mounting plate 66 is slidably mountable onto thelens 24 of the helmet 10, with the lens 24 being received in a gap (notpictured) formed between an upper portion 78 and a lower portion 80 ofthe mounting plate 66.

Now referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a detailed view of the preferredembodiment of the quick release mechanism 70 is shown and described. Asshown, the quick release mechanism 70 requires a quick release pin 82having a first end 84 and a second end 66. In addition, a locking shaft88 is provided on the helmet 10 that is configured to receive the pin82. To use the pin 82 properly, an aperture 90 must be formed into thelens 24 that matches the diameter of the shaft 88. For an operation ofthe quick release mechanism 70, a plunger 92 on the first end 84 of thepin 82 is depressed. When this occurs, ball bearings 94 a-b aredisengaged and retract into the pin 82 to allow the pin 82 to beinserted through the aperture 90 in the lens 24 and into the shaft 88.Once the ball bearings 94 a-b reach notches 96 a-b, the ball bearings 94a-b become seated into the notches 96 a-b to affix the lens 24 to thehelmet 10. This engagement of the pin 82 with the shaft 88 isillustrated in FIG. 6B. It should be noted that an identical operationoccurs on the opposite side of the helmet 10. It also should be notedthat the use of the quick release mechanism 70 is designed to occur whenthe lens 24 is in its raised position.

For an alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism 70, FIG. 7Ashows an engagement of the pin 82 with a shaft 88, and a lens aperture90. As shown in FIG. 7A, the pin 82 is the same as shown in FIGS. 6A and6B, but the shaft 88 and the lens aperture 90 are formed to receive thepin 82 so that the pin 82 is flush with the outside surface 28 of thelens 24 (See FIG. 7B).

Now referring to FIG. 8, an alternate quick release mechanism 70 isshown. In this embodiment, a deformable button 98 is formed onto thehelmet 10 near each release button 32. In further detail, the button 98is formed with an internal spring 100, an annular notch 102, and anannular rib 104. For an operation of the quick release mechanism 70, asthe lens 24 is pressed towards the helmet 10, the button 98 deforms toallow the lens 24 to pass over the annular rib 104. Once the outsidesurface 28 of the lens 24 has passed over the rib 104, the spring 100urges the button 98 back into its original configuration. At this point,the lens 24 is secured to the helmet 10 and is seated between the notch102 and the rib 104. To remove the lens 24, the lens 24 can be liftedoff of the button 98.

Now referring to FIG. 9, a detailed view of the camera mount 64 isshown. It can be seen that the camera mount 64 comprises two pieces: amounting plate 66 and a camera case 68. Referring first to the mountingplate 66, it is formed by the upper portion 78 and the lower portion 80.Between the upper portion 78 and the lower portion 80 of mounting plate66, a gap 108 is formed for receiving the lens 24 during an engagement.While the lower portion 80 of mounting plate 66 is a piece of plasticformed to be positioned against the inside surface 26 of the lens 24,the upper portion 78 of mounting plate 66 is formed by a rectangularpiece of plastic bounded by an extension member 110 a-b at either end.One extension member 110 b is formed with a hole through its center, andthe other extension member 110 a has a circular hole that extends onlypart way through the member 110 a. Further, the upper portion 78 ofmounting plate 66 is formed with a plurality of knuckles 112 that have acircular hole through the center of each to receive a locking shaft 114that is inserted through connecting member 110 b and the knuckles 112,and becomes seated in the hole in extension member 110 a. This shaft 114attaches the camera case 68 to the mounting plate 66. A final componentof the upper portion 78 is a plurality of tightening screws 116 a-b.These screws 116 a-b are rubber-tipped at the end opposite the screwhead. The purpose of these screws 116 a-b is to tighten the upperportion 78 against the lens 24 to further secure the mounting plate 66to the lens 24.

As intended for the present invention, the camera case 68 ismanufactured to hold different camera styles and is preferably made of aclear plastic. To secure the case 68 to the mounting plate 66, aplurality of complementary knuckles 118 are formed on the underside ofthe case 68. These knuckles 118 are also formed with holes through theircenters to allow the locking shaft 114 to be inserted through the holeswhen the knuckles 118 are mated with the knuckles 112 of the mountingplate 66. Regarding the knuckles 112 and 118, the number of knucklesshown is for exemplary purposes only. Any number of knuckles can be usedfor the present invention.

While the particular Helmet with Anti-Fog System for Skydiving and SnowSkiing as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable ofobtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated,it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations areintended to the details of construction or design herein shown otherthan as described in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-purpose helmet with a fog preventionfeature which comprises: a helmet body having an inner surface and anouter surface and formed with an opening bordered by a helmet rim of thehelmet body, wherein the helmet rim is dimensioned to surround the faceof a user, and wherein the helmet rim has a forehead portion and a chinportion, with the chin portion being formed with an air-intake hole; atransparent lens formed with a quick release mechanism, wherein the lenshas an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the lens ismounted on the helmet body to cover the opening, and to separate theinside surface of the lens from the forehead portion of the rim tocreate an exhaust vent therebetween; and an airflow deflector platepositioned against the air-intake hole to establish an air-intake ventto direct air into the helmet and over the inside surface of the lens toprevent fog from forming on the inside surface during an activity by auser.
 2. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 1 wherein theairflow deflector plate comprises: a substantially flat base memberhaving a first end and a second end; a scoop formed at the first end ofthe base member, wherein the scoop is positioned across the air-intakehole to establish an upper air-intake vent and a lower air-intake vent;and a plurality of vanes mounted on the base member to extend betweenthe base member and the chin portion of the helmet body to create aplurality of airways in the upper air-intake vent for moving air fromthe air-intake hole and into the helmet body.
 3. A multi-purpose helmetas recited in claim 2 wherein the airflow deflector plate defines acenterline and each vane in the plurality is oriented at an anglerelative to the centerline.
 4. A multi-purpose helmet as recited inclaim 3 wherein the exhaust vent extends through an arc of approximately100°, and is centered on the air-intake hole.
 5. A multi-purpose helmetas recited in claim 1 wherein the exhaust vent has a separation distanceof approximately ⅛ inch between the inside surface of the lens and theforehead portion of the rim.
 6. A multi-purpose helmet as recited inclaim 1 further comprising: a pair of swivel mounts positioned oppositeeach other on the helmet for engagement with the lens, to allow for alifting movement of the lens away from the opening to permit access intothe helmet body through the opening; a pair of release buttons, witheach release button being connected with a respective swivel mount toselectively hold the lens in place on the helmet body to surround theface of the user; a camera mount positioned on the lens, wherein thecamera mount is formed with a mounting plate affixed to the lens and acamera case slidably engageable with the mounting plate; and a heatingunit positioned on the outer surface of the helmet body for heating thelens and preventing fog, wherein the heating unit includes a pluralityof resistive conducting strips formed onto the inner surface of thelens, and wherein the heating unit and the plurality of conductingstrips are interconnected by a heating wire positioned on the outersurface of the helmet.
 7. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 1wherein the quick release mechanism comprises: a pair of deformablebuttons, each formed with an internal spring, wherein one button isformed onto either side of the helmet body, and wherein each button isformed with an annular rib and an annular notch for securing the lens tothe helmet; and a pair of quick release lens apertures formed ontoopposing sides of the lens, wherein each aperture receives one button tosecure the lens to the helmet.
 8. A multi-purpose helmet as recited inclaim 1 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises: at least twolocking pins each having a first end and a second end and an outersurface, wherein the first end is formed with a depressible plunger, andwherein the second end is formed with a plurality of ball bearings, andwherein the ball bearings are moveable from a first configurationextending beyond the outer surface of the pin and a second configurationwith the ball bearings retracted inside the pin, wherein the plunger isdepressed to move the ball bearings between the first configuration andthe second configuration; at least two apertures formed onto the lensfor receiving the locking pins; and at least two locking shafts having aproximal end and a distal end, wherein each shaft is formed with aplurality of notches at the distal end, wherein each notch receives aball bearing to produce a secure fit between the pin and the shaft.
 9. Amulti-purpose helmet with a fog prevention feature which comprises: ahelmet body having an inner surface and an outer surface and formed withan air-intake hole; a transparent lens engageable via a quick releasemechanism with the helmet body to protect the face of a user, whereinthe lens has an inside surface and an outside surface; an airflowdeflector plate affixed to the helmet body for deflecting air into thehelmet from the air-intake hole and for directing the deflected airagainst the inside surface of the lens during an activity; and anexhaust vent created by a separation distance between the helmet bodyand the inside surface of the lens, wherein the exhaust vent is locatedacross the lens and opposite the air-intake hole, and wherein theexhaust vent extends through an arc centered on the air-intake hole todraw air over the inside surface of the lens to prevent fog on the lensduring the activity.
 10. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9wherein the helmet body is formed with an opening bordered by a helmetrim of the helmet body, wherein the helmet rim is dimensioned tosurround the face of a user, and wherein the helmet rim has a foreheadportion and a chin portion, with the chin portion being formed with theair-intake hole.
 11. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 10wherein the airflow deflector plate is glued onto the chin portion ofthe helmet rim.
 12. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 whereinthe airflow deflector plate comprises: a substantially flat base memberhaving a first end and a second end; a scoop formed at the first end ofthe base member, wherein the scoop is positioned across the air-intakehole to establish an upper air-intake vent and a lower air-intake vent;and a plurality of vanes mounted on the base member to extend betweenthe base member and the chin portion of the helmet body to create aplurality of airways in the upper air-intake vent for moving air fromthe air-intake hole and into the helmet body.
 13. A multi-purpose helmetas recited in claim 12 wherein the airflow deflector plate defines acenterline and each vane in the plurality is oriented at an anglerelative to the centerline.
 14. A multi-purpose helmet as recited inclaim 9 wherein the exhaust vent extends through an arc of approximately100°.
 15. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 wherein theseparation distance is approximately ⅛ inch.
 16. A multi-purpose helmetas recited in claim 9 further comprising: a pair of swivel mountspositioned opposite each other on the helmet for engagement with thelens, to allow for a lifting movement of the lens away from the openingto permit access into the helmet body through the opening; a pair ofrelease buttons, with each release button being connected with arespective swivel mount to selectively hold the lens in place on thehelmet body to surround the face of the user; a camera mount positionedon the lens, wherein the camera mount is formed with a mounting plateaffixed to the lens and a camera case slidably engageable with themounting plate; and a heating unit positioned on the outer surface ofthe helmet body for heating the lens and preventing fog, wherein theheating unit includes a plurality of resistive conducting strips formedonto the inner surface of the lens, and wherein the heating unit and theplurality of conducting strips are interconnected by a heating wirepositioned on the outer surface of the helmet.
 17. A multi-purposehelmet as recited in claim 9 wherein the lens is made of a clear plasticmaterial.
 18. A method for manufacturing a multi-purpose helmet with afog prevention feature which comprises the steps of: providing a helmetbody having an inner surface and an outer surface and formed with anopening bordered by a helmet rim of the helmet body, wherein the helmetrim is dimensioned to surround the face of a user, and wherein thehelmet rim has a forehead portion and a chin portion, with the chinportion being formed with an air-intake hole: mounting a transparentlens on the helmet body via a quick release mechanism, wherein the lenshas an inside surface and an outside surface, and is mounted on thehelmet body to cover the opening to separate the inside surface of thelens from the forehead portion of the rim and to create an exhaust venttherebetween: attaching a heating unit to the outer surface of thehelmet body for heating the lens and preventing fog, wherein the heatingunit includes a plurality of resistive conducting strips formed onto theinner surface of the lens, and wherein the heating unit and theplurality of conducting strips are interconnected by a heating wirepositioned on the outer surface of the helmet; and positioning anairflow deflector plate against the air-intake hole to establish anair-intake vent to direct air into the helmet and over the insidesurface of the lens, wherein the air deflector includes a substantiallyflat base member with a scoop formed thereon and positioned across theair-intake hole to establish an upper air-intake vent and a lowerair-intake vent, and with a plurality of vanes mounted on the basemember to extend between the base member and the chin portion of thehelmet body to create a plurality of airways in the upper air-intakevent for moving air from the air-intake hole and into the helmet body toprevent fog from forming on the inside surface during an activity by theuser.
 19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the airflow deflectorplate defines a centerline and each vane in the plurality is oriented atan angle relative to the centerline.
 20. A method as recited in claim 18wherein the exhaust vent extends through an arc of approximately 100°,and is centered on the air-intake hole, and further wherein the exhaustvent has a separation distance of approximately ⅛ inch between theinside surface of the lens and the forehead portion of the rim.